What does the INPUT statement in pointer control format allow you to do?

The INPUT statement in pointer control format is specifically designed to allow SAS to read data from a raw data file by enabling you to point at specific columns within that file for each variable. This gives you the flexibility to extract data from non-standard data layouts or where specific columns contain the relevant information you want to analyze. By specifying column positions, you can manipulate how the input data aligns with the variables in your SAS dataset.

This feature is particularly useful when you have fixed-width files or when the data structure does not follow the standard delimiter-based formats. It enhances your control over how data is read into SAS, which can be crucial for ensuring accurate data import when dealing with complex data files.